clean front beam for rebuild

[vwboat]

Purchased a used ball joint beam to rebuild to replace my bent one. I have it stripped down with the spring pack pulled out(tried to put it back in, what a pain). What is the best way to clean the inside of the beam tubes to remove all the old grease without damage to the internal bushings/bearings?

Also the used beam I have purchase has two small indentations by the center grub screw, and my original 69 beam does not have these indentations. Can anyone help identify the year of this beam?

Thanks for any help.

VWBOAT

[TDCTDI]

As long as the grease hasn't been contaminated with dirt, grit, or water, put the trailing arms back in & pump new grease in until you see the new grease come out.
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[Matt Wilson]

Are you cutting the beam for lifting it? If so that's the best time to clean it out. I just use lots of paper towels and a long rod to push out all the old grease. It doesn't need to be mega clean, but you can get most of it this way - like cleaning a musket!

Remember the grease is to lubricate the interface between the bushing and trailing arm as well as the bearings. The springs don't 'need' grease from the zerks, and can be cleaned and assembled with a light film of grease or oil. To keep adding more and more grease seems silly. If you are building the beam and are removing the bushings and bearings in order to swap in the urethane style, be sure to use lithium grease to avoid squeaks.
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1972 Standard Beetle
1969 Baja Beetle

[vwboat]

Thanks for the reply. Not cutting the beam, just trying to rebuild to stock.